Information Strategy and Strategic Management The WritePass Journal

Information Strategy and Strategic Management Block 1 Information Strategy and Strategic Management Block 1Six elements of strategy with reference to appropriate information contentBlock 2Impact of Porter’s five forces model on the development and provision of strategically useful informationHow consensus management can help provide directed and focused organizational informationDifference between strategic, tactical and operational organization information in ArgosBlock 3Importance of strategic alignment on ArgosStrategic alignment improves the market penetration potential of ArgosLack of strategic alignment might impede market penetration by ArgosExamples of core and distinctive competence in ArgosMain problems relating to competitive advantage as may be apparent in the retail tradeBlock 4Is knowledge the ultimate competitive advantage?The growing importance of contingent work in information industries affects the development of knowledge for competitive advantageImpact of knowledge transfer on competitive advantageWhat is the impact of internal knowledge development?Discu ss why the disenfranchising of the individual during the change process is a problem for the organizationSuggest ways in which the disenfranchised might be empowered within the change scenarioContrast Kotter’s and Satir’s approaches to changeArguments for the Kotter approachArguments against the Kotter approachArguments for the Satir approachArguments against this approachPreferred approachBlock 5AdvantageDisadvantage Aspects of information systems advocated for outsourcingAspects of information systems not advocated for outsourcingDiscuss the effectiveness in combating threats to an information system of the following control mechanismsBlock 6The limits of computingReferencesRelated Block 1 Organizational development requires the use of information available to develop knowledge which can be used to enhance success and attainment of organizational objectives. Waggoner stresses the primacy of information in knowledge development in his assertion that, â€Å"One can have information without knowledge, but it is impossible to have knowledge without information.† The search and use of information can be enhanced using the building blocks of information which include tool literacy which the ability to use sources of information both print and electronic including software in the search for information, and resource literacy which is the understanding of location, form, format, and methods of access of the information resources enabling the understanding of methods of use of the information sought. These two building blocks enable the search of information and its use which is applicable to Waggoner’s assertion on information literacy which he describes as, â€Å"knowing where and how to find information sources as well as how to locate information within those sources † Also applicable is the social-structural literacy which is the knowledge of the social situation and production of knowledge including an understanding of the scholarly publishing process applicable in the determination of whether the information found is accurate, reliable, and valid. Another building block is research literacy which is the understanding and use of information technology tools including discipline-related software to carry out research and to further knowledge. Six elements of strategy with reference to appropriate information content The six elements of strategy include; direction, market/scope, advantage, resources, environment, and stakeholders. Direction is the destination the business is trying to get to and it consists of the visions and the goals of the organization, the purpose for which it exists. This is a primary consideration, a broad strategic foundation covering all aspects for the business. It includes mission and vision statements, business plans and performance projections, core and distinctive competencies, competitor and market analyses, and overall business strategy (Mintzberg 1995). Market/scope is the kind of markets that a business should compete in and the kinds of activities involved in such market. This is also a key strategy which encompasses the need that the business seeks to fill so as to gain commercial value. It includes information focusing on the market aspects or scope for the business including trends, information on competition and their activity, the company’s positioning and penetration capacity, costs, and overall expected success of strategy (Barney 2001). Advantage refers to the ability of a business to perform better than the competition it the markets and it includes a company’s distinctive competence which enables differentiation. Appropriate information content for this strategy include competitor activity, analysis of capacity and areas of differentiation, analyses of specific market needs, and customer feedback/market response (Pine 1999). Environment includes the external, environmental factors that affect a businesses’ potential to compete and influence the success of its objectives. Information relevant to this strategy would include analysis of political climate, demographics, analysis of needs and acceptance, and foregoing trends in the markets (Barney 2001). Resources are the factors that the company employs to build its capacity and ability to compete including skills, assets, finances, relationships, technical competence and facilities that a company requires to perform its activities. Information content appropriate to this strategy would include the capital requirement and availability, skills and technical competence required and availability, availability of strategic partners and relationships with the various players needed for success of objective, as well as the need and acceptance for a company’s product mix in the market. Stakeholders refer to those who have power in and around the business, their values and expectations. This strategy emphasizes focus on the various needs of the various individuals including customers, employees, investors, service providers, suppliers, government. Relevant information would include customer feedback, market regulations, availability of suppliers and service providers and their capacity, investor expectations and goodwill, and employee relations and their resourcefulness (Mintzberg 1995). Block 2 Impact of Porter’s five forces model on the development and provision of strategically useful information To strategically position itself in a market and to develop information that can be strategically useful, it is imperative that a company takes into consideration the Porter five forces which describe the forces that surround any economic venture affecting business success and potential. These include the power exerted by buyers and suppliers, the threats of substitute products and competition, and the barriers within the market that challenge the entry of new firms (competitors) into the market (Barney 2001). When developing its strategy, information on the existence of products that could be close substitutes to those offered by the firm is essential as they could be a threat to the company’s potential and profitability through the increase in the propensity of customers switching to these alternatives in response to price increases. Factors that need to be considered and monitored when considering this threat are the performance of these substitutes in the market including its strengths and weaknesses, the cost of switching to alternatives which could influence the decision to switch to the alternative, and the willingness of the buyer which can also influence the shift to the alternative (Barney 2001). Information on the presence and capacity of competition is also essential to the development of strategy as these would present a challenge to the profitability of the company. Factors that need be considered to have relevant information on this threat include the number and diversity of competitors, their differentiation, niche or quality, the industry concentration, and the costs of switching which are essential factors to consider as the company seeks its competitive advantage (Barney 2001). Also necessary to consider is the barrier to entry into the market of new competitors. Profitable markets that yield high returns will draw new entrant firms and will consequently lead to a decrease in profitability. The profit rate will fall towards a competitive level (a level of perfect competition) unless the entry of new firms can be blocked by incumbents. This threat is influenced by barriers such as time and cost of entry, the knowledge required, economies of scale, cost advantages, and technology among other barriers (Barney 2001). Upstream information from the customers to the firm, inherent in their bargaining power, is also an essential consideration as customers have the ability to put the firm under pressure, affecting their sensitivity to price changes and overall allegiance. Factors that could influence this bargaining power include the number of customers, their buying volumes, and differentiation in the market, price elasticity, incentives, the brand identity and switching costs to alternatives that could influence shift to substitutes. Downstream information also has an impact in the development of useful strategy. This is the bargaining power of suppliers which is the power that suppliers of raw materials, components, labour and services/expertise to the firm can field over the firm. With this power, suppliers can refuse to work with the firm or offer their services, or can charge exorbitantly for their unique resources. Factors that can influence this bargaining power include the number of suppliers and their size, the ability to substitute and costs of switching, and the unique service or product provided (Barney 2001). How consensus management can help provide directed and focused organizational information Consensus management consists of the agreement between various players in the market place to align their business services, share tasks, as well as pool resources in a market for mutual benefit and for effective and efficient attainment of results (Mintzberg 1995). Taking an example of the Lloyd’s of London which operates primarily in the specialist insurance market, providing insurance to their clients, there has to be consensus between the various parties in its market. These parties include clients seeking the insurance services; brokers representing the clients in seeking insurance, using their specialist knowledge to arrange insurance with underwriters at the best quality, value and price; underwriters working for syndicates with their responsibility entailing the use of their specialist knowledge to assess and accept or decline risks on behalf of the syndicate; members who provide capital required to cover the risks; and the corporation (the administrative body of the Lloyd’s market) which is the structure that oversees these processes, providing the infrastructure for the underwriters and brokers to do business. Such undertakings requiring the involvement of several players for the success of a business venture requires all the parties involved to mutually understand the terms of their agreement or reference, and providing their unique specialized input focused and directed to the overall objective of the business venture. Therefore, consensus management in such an endeavour is essential. Difference between strategic, tactical and operational organization information in Argos Strategic information includes all applications which are critical to achieving future business strategy. It consists of highly aggregated information with overall business scope and impact affecting the entire organization. It is mainly an exploration of known data from current trading and market activities in developing the organizations plan or blue-print for the future. Strategic information is subject to market variations and political constraints and is liable to change at any moment (Collins 2008). With regard to Argos, its strategic information includes its awareness of the needs of people in its market for the comfort and convenience of home selection via the catalogue. This it endeavours to combine with the closeness of high street stores and the creation of stronger presence with the opening up of additional stores to reach a greater percentage of the population in its market, its customers, with its long run target to have 600 stores (Argos case study 2004). Tactical information includes all information used to implement the plan. It consists of comprehensive information regarding overall implementation including progress, and market penetration. This information needs be precise enough to allow the tweaking and amendment of the strategy as well as to control operational decisions (Collins 2008). In the case of Argos, tactical information includes the profound impact of new technologies on the companys functions as a retailer including the collection of feedback through various communication channels, as well as, its use of technology to integrate its functions using ICT to monitor stock levels, to recognize market trends early and to avoid stock out situations, and to communicate with its customers and suppliers (Argos case study 2004). Operational information includes application upon which the organization currently depends on for its success. It consists of highly detailed performance information used to monitor the day to day impact of the strategy and tends to be restricted to departments in its requirement and use relevant to a particular area of influence (Collins 1998). Operational information in the case of Argos includes the strategies for the enlargement of its business through innovative use of evolving technologies in information, its multi-channel approach that offers greater presence to the company and a wider reach to customers unlike stores approach reliant on customers that walk in, and the outsourcing of its supply chain management in its Nominated carrier scheme and its warehousing in its Advanced inventory planning scheme, solutions that enable the company to efficiently manage flow of merchandising from its extensive base of 750 suppliers to its distribution centres throughout the UK (Argos cas e study 2004). Block 3 Importance of strategic alignment on Argos Strategic alignment is the matching up of two or more organizational strategies so as to ensure that the overall objectives of the organization are met. Entities with unique and varied specialty, for example, deliver information one to the other that is necessary in facilitating the realization of the overall organizational objective (Barney 2001). This alignment is useful as it enhances effectiveness and efficiency overall and in the case of Argos, an example of this strategic alignment is the multi-channel approach with the combined use of physical store presence and online presence both offering the capability to browse, reserve, order and make purchases, enhancing the company’s overall presence (Argos case study 2004). Another example of strategic alignment is the adoption of various solutions (including the delegation of responsibilities to service providers) so as to manage complex functions essential for its success including management of its supply chain and warehousing in its â€Å"Nominated carrier scheme† and â€Å"Advanced Inventory planning scheme† solutions delegated to UPS and Retek respectively, and its teaming up with Vodafone Live enabling customers to check stock availability and reserve goods, and to view the catalogue on their mobile phones, all linked to a home or store delivery options (Argos case study 2004). These are organizations that are themselves specialized in these particular fields. This alignment enables greater effectiveness and efficiency for Argos as it enables it to enhance its operations focusing on the key areas with these complex functions left to able providers. Strategic alignment improves the market penetration potential of Argos This strategic alignment improves market penetration of Argos as its multi-channel approach and especially its online presence enables it reach customers who might have hitherto not visited the physical stores. Another example of strategic alignment at Argos is its teaming up with Vodafone enabling customers to view catalogue and stock and to reserve goods enables its reach to the wider Vodafone’s customer base hence enhancing its market penetration more than it would have if it had focused only on its stores (Argos case study 2004). Lack of strategic alignment might impede market penetration by Argos A lack of strategic alignment might impede market penetration by Argos as it will result in uncoordinated approaches that will challenge overall efficiency and therefore success of its objectives. For a retailer such as Argos whose business involves the purchase and resale of a variety of products, differentiation and value addition involves the enhancement of efficiency in its system as its only source of advantage. Without strategic alignment and enhanced focus on overall strategy, this will not obtain limiting the company’s market penetration. Examples of core and distinctive competence in Argos Core competence is the specific skill sets or techniques that are critical to the business and which deliver value to the customer. It includes areas of expertise distinctive to the company and critical for its long term growth (Prahalad 1990). It includes areas central to a company’s business where most value is added and in the case of Argos (Argos case study 2004), they are; Its reliable and efficient delivery infrastructure covering product picking, distribution and customer satisfaction handling. Its design and delivery of a simplified online customer interface that makes shopping efficient for its customers through its various channels. Its design and implementation of an efficient supply system with supply chain management, warehousing solutions and home delivery systems that are effectively linked. Distinctive competence comprises traits unique to an organization enabling the creation of a unique value superior to those of competing organizations forming the basis for its competitive advantage (Collins 1998). In Argos’ case (Argos case study 2004), these comprise elements in its business approach that enhance efficiency in service delivery and the attainment of its overall objective such as; Its innovative use of technology to enhance its retail trade and efficiency with its use of a multi-channel approach. Its strategic integration of elements in its business model which are complementary such as warehousing, supply chain management and use of technology into its powerful business solution and to enhance its efficiency. Its use of enhanced efficiency in its business processes and good relations with its suppliers to drive down costs to the customer. Main problems relating to competitive advantage as may be apparent in the retail trade Competitive advantage for a retailer like Argos tends to be from its differentiated service and efficiency, with its major advantage coming through external elements such as innovative employment of technology and price. Its product mix cannot form a basis for its competitive advantage as retail trade entails the purchase and resale of various products which are similar to competitor products. Such a competitive advantage is not sustainable in the long term as the market evolves and competition intensifies and therefore there is always a need to tweak the company’s competencies to enhance value to the customer and ward off potential switch. The price war in a market as the retailer seeks to differentiate from its competition comes at a cost to overall profitability and therefore needs to be well designed and implemented for it to have meaningful benefit to the overall objective of the company. Block 4 Is knowledge the ultimate competitive advantage? Competitive advantage is a condition which enables a company to operate more efficiently or at a higher quality than its competition resulting in benefits accruing to the company (Prahalad 1990). Knowledge is indeed the ultimate competitive advantage as it comprises a sustainable competitive advantage, a capability which is not easily duplicated or surpassed by competitors. Taking an example from the Lloyd’s of London, its underwriters are famous for recognizing new insurance opportunities and requirements, and for meeting them using their specialty knowledge and that of their partner brokers.   The Lloyds market, for example, covers offshore wind farms of the energy industry, an area that the government is planning to expand. Knowledge, as in this case, helps in developing differentiation and value creation through the use of information available to a company and apt analysis to reach better decisions which can then be used with enhanced efficiency or unique approaches to acquire competitive advantage. Analysis and efficiency or unique approaches are subject to the availability and use of information and they can be easily duplicated and surpassed by competitors. Knowledge is therefore the ultimate competitive advantage. The growing importance of contingent work in information industries affects the development of knowledge for competitive advantage The growing importance of contingent work in information industries affects the development of knowledge for competitive advantage as the contractor often seeks to retain as much knowledge gained from their experience to themselves so as to retain the capacity to offer services they are contracted for which would not be if there were people within the company gained such knowledge and capacity. Impact of knowledge transfer on competitive advantage Knowledge transfer has a positive effect on competitive advantage if it is effective and efficient as it enhances overall understanding, consensus, and therefore helps in the realization of the overall objective of the organization. However, a negative effect could result from the unsecured transfer of sensitive information which can be obtained by the competition and used to challenge the organization’s competitive strategy. What is the impact of internal knowledge development? Internal knowledge development consists of four approaches including socialization which entails the sharing of tacit information by individuals and especially learning by doing; externalization in which individuals link the tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge; combination which entails individuals combining different explicit ideas to create knowledge; and internalization in which individuals extract knowledge from newly created organizational tacit and explicit knowledge through learning by doing. Discuss why the disenfranchising of the individual during the change process is a problem for the organization The disenfranchising of an individual in the change process can be disastrous to the organizations change objective if the individual, victim of the change process is powerful enough to influence the environment, an undesired outcome if the change is not well planned and carefully controlled. This could result from the perspective of employees of organizational change as a negative process over which they have no control. Such individuals would act as deterrents to the realization of the overall organizational objective if this objective requires their input and wholesome involvement with their resultant de-motivation, feeling of being left out, and their participation not being appreciated. This would lead to the lowering of overall efficiency and effectiveness and would therefore be a problem to the organization. Empowering the disenfranchised is therefore an important aspect of well managed change. Suggest ways in which the disenfranchised might be empowered within the change scenario To empower the disenfranchised individual, the organization should seek to keep these individuals in the loop to create an environment in which there is mutual trust and an appreciation of the overall picture and an understanding of the benefit and necessity for change. The main ways through which this can be achieved include giving them an understanding of the necessity for change and what benefits would accrue, creating a guide for the process for clarity and consistency, developing a clear shared vision and communicating it including explaining to the individual its effect on them, empowering the people to act on the vision (to be the change), splitting the process into realizable milestones and benchmarks to ease the overall process. Contrast Kotter’s and Satir’s approaches to change Kotters approach, referred to as the organizational approach as it focuses on institutional change, is a structured method through which change can be managed and followed through within an institution. It is a linear approach which comprises eight steps to follow in the management of the process including the initiation of the urgency, the institution of people to guide the process, the development of a shared vision, communication of the vision, the empowerment of the people to act on the vision, the creation of short term wins to enhance motivation, consolidation and building on the gains, and finally the institutionalization of the change, embedding it in the organization’s culture (Mintzberg 1995). This is a clarified linear approach with a destination and discrete steps to follow. Satirs approach/model, on the other hand, is referred to as the human approach and is composed of a number of stages and with highlights of key events that disturb and move an individuals experience from a position referred to as a status quo (all the usual activities of a normal day) through the change process to a new level (status quo). These key events include the foreign element and the transforming idea. It comprises a cyclical iteration of steps stimulated by the key events in the change process through a position referred to as chaos, then to integration which with time eventually develops into the new status quo (Mintzberg 1995). These steps however have several iterations depending on the stimuli of the key events and unlike the Kotter’s approach, it perceives change as a continuous process rather than linear events that are followed through. Arguments for the Kotter approach Change is seen as linear and the aim of the change can therefore be reached directly following through the various steps. Its linearity is useful in the analysis of the change process and benchmarking so as to gauge success. It provides an excellent process for the management of the change process with clear and discrete steps useful for successful realization of objectives. Arguments against the Kotter approach This approach takes an abstract approach to the change process, focusing on the process management but failing to identify the actual internal change among the individuals involved that result in the acceptance of the change. Kotter’s approach is criticized for it mainly focuses on the concerns of management rather than those of the organization as a whole. It is criticized for its view that there is the one best way in which change can happen forming the basis for the process. The style or path of change, however, may vary influenced by various factors including receptivity to the change, the change management, performance of the organization, among other factors. Arguments for the Satir approach This approach identifies the actual change process within the individual which can then be extrapolated when considering the involvement of a number of other people. It perceives change as a continuous process rather than a destination which can be reached. It takes cognizance of the fact that the change process no matter the size of organization is still an individualized process and that overall change depends on the acceptance of the change by individuals. Arguments against this approach The Satir approach comprises of several cyclical iterations which are mainly a description of the process which offer no steps towards management of the process. This approach makes benchmarking and measuring of success of the process difficult. Difficult to manage in large scale change processes entailing huge organizations. Preferred approach My preferred approach in the management of a project associated with the change would be the Kotter approach as it has a clarified and well defined process and steps to take unlike the Satir model which has a lot of cyclic iterations depending on results and influence of the key events. The Kotter approach with its linearity offers greater advantage in the management of the change process enabling analysis and recognition of the various steps, and the gauging of success at every stage, as well as, in its simplicity and forthrightness when dealing with change in large organizations comprising several individuals. Block 5 Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform activities that are traditionally handled internally. It is a management strategy in which an organization delegates major, non-core functions to specialized service providers (Barney 2001). Advantage The main advantage of outsourcing is the enhancement of focus on core business that it enables in a company through the transfer of costly, non-core activities to service providers (Luftman 2008). This focus enables enhanced performance on core activities as there is less interruption of the main activities from the non-core activities, and also enhanced performance on the non-core activities as they are delegated to specialized providers specially organized for such activities. Disadvantage The main disadvantage of outsourcing is the abdication of control on certain activities and/or sectors of the organization that is necessitated by the delegation of tasks to external service providers (Luftman 2008). This creates a dependence on the external providers which is a potential liability to the company/organization in terms of confidentiality with these delegated functions and tasks often essential to the performance of its core activities. Aspects of information systems advocated for outsourcing Some aspects of an organization’s information system that can be advocated for outsourcing include non-critical/non-core functions that application development and maintenance, network management, customer care and helpdesk services, data centre management, among other important but non-core aspects. Aspects of information systems not advocated for outsourcing Aspects that hold sensitive information for the organization or are critical components for its competitive advantage should have tight internal control and should not be outsourced as these could become possible points of compromise in terms of leaked information or opening up the system to a variety of threats. Such aspects include; Databases containing a variety of sensitive information including customer information and sensitive data, Discuss the effectiveness in combating threats to an information system of the following control mechanisms Redundancy entails the use of more than one path to reach the destination in information transmission through the network. This is effective in combating threats of compromise in the transmission of information by providing resiliency. Anti-virus software programs form an effective method of preventing attacks on the system by viruses and other suspicious programs that could threaten the composition of the system. Passwords form an effective barrier at points of access preventing unauthorized entry to sensitive system areas and controlling and managing the use of resources. Encryption provides secrecy which is effective in deterring unauthorized use of information. Firewalls filter out dangerous transmissions blocking out unwanted and suspicious activities and thereby effectively helps in maintaining the system’s integrity. Block 6 The limits of computing The extent to which human and computer attribute overlap and differ exist as the designers of computers have made immense effort at creating a machine that mirrors brain function, or even surpasses it. However, wide differences still exist, especially with the acknowledgement that scientists have not been able to fully map the brain, its functions, capacity and potential. This unmapped potential therefore gives humans a higher capacity than machines in tasks including the capability enabling abstract thinking, a capability that challenges the computer (Chan 1992). Abstract thinking refers to the derivation of higher concepts in thought from the classification and usage of literal or concrete concepts or methods connecting any relations among various fields, a high level thought process in which the consideration of a concept is broad, general and non-specific. Human intelligence and expertise depends significantly on unconscious instincts which can hardly be measured or captured rather than conscious manipulation of symbols, with mental states such as beliefs and desires being relations between individuals and their mental representations. The variation results from a humans emotional intelligence combined with the logic and scholastic intelligence which the computer, a machine, can hardly be thought to possess in the near future (Hawkins 2005). Computers are successful in information processing as they are designed to perform iterations with a lot of effort focused on reliability. It is quite efficient in conducting processes that feature repetitive activity better than humans who have inefficiencies in this particular aspect. The challenge still remains the convergence of consciousness and computation and therefore the computer is challenged with regard to abstract thinking though it can mimic several aspects of thought and decision making (Davis 2000). References Barney, B., and A., Arikan, 2001. â€Å"The resource-based view: Origins and implications.† In M. A. Hitt, R. F. Freeman J. S. Harrison (Eds.), Handbook of strategic management (pp. 124-188). Oxford: Blackwell. Chan, Y., and S., Huff, 1992. â€Å"Strategy: An Information Systems Research Perspective.† In: Journal of Strategic Information Systems (1:4), pp. 191-204. Collis, D., and C., Montgomery, 1998. Creating corporate advantage. Harvard Business Review, 76(3):71–83 Davis, G., 2000. â€Å"Information Systems Conceptual Foundations: Looking Backward and Forward.† In: Baskerville, R., J. Stage, and J., DeGross (eds.), Organizational and Social Perspectives on Information Technology, pp. 61-82. Boston: Springer. Hawkins, et al., 2005. On Intelligence, New York, NY: Owl Books Mintzberg, H., B., Quinn, and S., Ghoshal, 1995. The Strategy Process. London: Prentice Hall. Luftman, J., and R., Kempaiah, 2008. â€Å"Key Issues for IT Executives 2007.† In: MIS Quarterly Executive (7:2), pp. 99-112. Pine, J., and J., Gilmore, 1999. The Experience Economy. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Prahalad, C., and G., Hamel, 1990. The core competence of the corporation. Harvard Business Review, 68 (3):79–91.

A Guide to Shanghainese

A Guide to Shanghainese Since Shanghai is in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), the official language of the city is standard Mandarin Chinese, also known as  Putonghua. However, the traditional language of the Shanghai region is Shanghainese, which is a dialect of Wu Chinese which is not mutually intelligible with Mandarin Chinese. Shanghainese is spoken by about 14 million people. It has retained its cultural significance for the Shanghai region, despite the introduction of Mandarin Chinese as the official language in 1949. For many years, Shanghainese was banned from primary and secondary schools, with the result that many young residents of Shanghai do not speak the language. Recently, however, there has been a movement to protect the language and to reintroduce it into the education system. Shanghai Shanghai is the largest city in the PRC, with a population of more than 24 million people. It is a major cultural and financial center and an important port for container shipments. The Chinese characters for this city are ä ¸Å Ã¦ µ ·, which is pronounced ShnghÇŽi. The first character ä ¸Å  (shng) means on, and the second character æ µ · (hÇŽi) means ocean. The name ä ¸Å Ã¦ µ · (ShnghÇŽi) adequately describes the location of this city, since it is a port city on the mouth of the Yangtze River by the East China Sea. Mandarin vs Shanghainese Mandarin and Shanghainese are distinct languages which are mutually unintelligible. For example, there are 5 tones in Shanghainese versus only 4 tones in Mandarin. Voiced initials are used in Shanghainese, but not in Mandarin. Also, changing tones affects both words and phrases in Shanghainese, while it only affects words in Mandarin. Writing Chinese characters are used to write Shanghainese. The written language is one of the most important factors in unifying the various Chinese cultures, since it can be read by most Chinese, regardless of their spoken language or dialect. The primary exception to this is the split between traditional and simplified Chinese characters. Simplified Chinese characters were introduced by the PRC in the 1950s, and can differ greatly from the traditional Chinese characters still used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and many overseas Chinese communities. Shanghai, as part of the PRC, uses simplified characters. Sometimes Chinese characters are used for their Mandarin sounds to write Shanghainese. This type of Shanghainese writing is seen on Internet blog posts and chat rooms as well as in some Shanghainese textbooks. Decline of Shanghainese From the early 1990s, the PRC banned Shanghainese from the education system, with the result that many of the young residents of Shanghai no longer speak the language fluently. Because the younger generation of Shanghai residents has been educated in Mandarin Chinese, the Shanghainese they speak is often mixed with Mandarin words and expressions. This type of Shanghainese is quite different from the language that older generations speak, which has created fears that real Shanghainese is a dying language. Modern Shanghainese In recent years, a movement has started to try to preserve the Shanghai language by promoting its cultural roots. The Shanghai government is sponsoring educational programs, and there is a movement to reintroduce Shanghainese language learning from kindergarten through to university. Interest in preserving Shanghainese is strong, and many young people, even though they speak a mixture of Mandarin and Shanghainese, see Shanghainese as a badge of distinction. Shanghai, as one of the most important cities of the PRC, has important cultural and financial ties with the rest of the world. The city is using those ties to promote Shanghai culture and the Shanghainese language.

Womens Suffrage Movement in United States Research Paper

Womens Suffrage Movement in United States - Research Paper Example Change touched several issues for instance the entire social system of the United State faced some change, the political arena and duty sharing on the ground of sex. Basically, women were fighting to rescue themselves from what they termed as oppressions from the male. With the desire and positive attitude, they had, plus the strong personality of the leaders, the movement â€Å"women suffrage in United States†, witnessed a success that would be thought to be a difficult phenomenon for women. However, today women in the federal government of the United States are enjoying the struggle of other women, who pioneered for their freedom. The bill concerning the right to vote is a proof. In this essay, the struggle for the women suffrage movement is analyzed to a certain considerable degree. Introduction The fight for women reforms commenced in the year 1848. This occurred prior to the women rights convention, which took place in Seneca Falls near New York. According to the article (women suffrage in America) by Curry, it is pertinent to note that the supporters of women suffrage decided to educate the public about the validation of women suffrage. This was a fifty-year plan for knowledge instillation in women. Having illustrated that it is right to illustrate that this essay will outlines the impact of women movement on political, cultural, and economical aspects of the United States on its society (Han 71). A bit of history affirms that the movement had to climb some huddles in achieving their goals. First, as any other movement, this women movement faced several challenges, and since their effort was to move ahead, they formulated a way out. One of their challenges was that, the movement faced was opposition from the politicians, where according to the article (women movement), they faced unwillingness from the politicians. Thus,  they had to navigate and make their ends meet by creating the means of countering it (Rosenfeld and Kathryn 258). They fought to win the right to vote (Knappman and Kathryn 130). Due to this reason, suffrage became a mass movement. It follows that the movement had a broad spectrum of goals. However, they thought it better to narrow down on solely securing the franchise for women. Thus, they geared up their fight by the use of political influence. They went ahead to empower or rather to equip the women with political knowledge, form those who were the early pioneers. It is for this reason that up to date; this movement is still in existence. They understand the political path of the United States, and this is what made them attain their goals. According to history, it is wise to note that the pioneer gathering whose aim was to devote women rights in the U S occurred in 1848. Here, the principle organizers were Quaker who was an abolitionist and Elizabeth Candy who at that time was a mother of four from the upstate. With two thirds being women, the gathering declared their sentiments, resolutions, and grieva nces that pointed on the independent declaration. It is pertinent from the above that this movement had a big influence on the political aspects of the United States. In addition, the women reformers also addressed the phenomenon of institutional as well as social barriers, which was a limitation to women (Willis 123). Some of the addressed issue touched the aspects of family responsibilities, lack of economic and educational opportunities, and they need to have said in the political debates. In doing this, they strove to challenge their male counterparts in order to gain access to various opportunities equitably. It is noted today that, this movement has so far played a

Impact of capital structure on financial performance of real estate Essay

Impact of capital structure on financial performance of real estate firms listed in Chinese stock exchange - Essay Example ortant to obtain a brief understanding of the theoretical aspects related to the capital structure and its role in the performance of the company, which assisted significantly in the formation of specific research objectives. The next phase, of the research emphasized gathering of necessary data, wherein secondary sources that includes utilising the official website i.e. ‘Shanghai Stock Exchange’ have been utilised to extract data. Subsequently, the related data gathered using the secondary sources were analysed with the assistance of a quantitative approach using the statistical tools i.e. correlation and regression. Finally, an in-depth analysis was conducted based on the collected data to ensure valid and justifiable conclusions based on the obtained findings (Bergh & Ketchen, 2009). Correspondingly, this chapter of the dissertation intends to provide an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of how this research study was carried out through the collection of reliable data and information to derive the ultimate objective of research. The objective of the research study was to determine the impact of organisations’ capital structure over the financial performance of the business. In this regard, the financial performance of the 20 listed real estate companies, in the Chinese stock exchange, was taken into the consideration. In general context, based on the objective of the research, a study can be carried out using positivism, realism, interpretivism, or pragmatism philosophical approaches. However, particularly in order to achieve previously mentioned research aims and objectives, interpretivism philosophy was utilised in this research study. The reason behind using interpretivism philosophy in this particular research study is owing to its advantages in the collection of needful data and information, maintaining high level of reliability, validity, and generalisability of the facts representing the financial position of the companies. Furthermore,

Now we Settle for Half Essay Example for Free

Now we Settle for Half Essay A dispute may only end when one side has been defeated. The side can be destroyed through raw fighting or peaceful legal actions. In the play, A View from the Bridge, the battle is between two prominent characters, Eddie and Marco whose objective is to get rid of each other using either justice or law. Eddie uses the law by snitching to the Immigration Bureau about the opponent who is an illegal immigrant. Marco uses what he and his culture will consider justice by humiliating and, in the end, killing Eddie. Now we settle for half and I like it better (pg.12) is the exact opposite of how both men act who refuse to compromise. Give me the number to the Immigration Bureau I would like to report illegal immigrants. (pg. 67). Eddies selfishness of Catherine, his niece, drives him to snitch to the American Immigration authorities that jail Marco for his illegal entry into the country. This is legitimate according to the law but unjust to the illegal immigrants whose main goal is to scrape out a living. He robbed my children, he mocks my work. I work to come here, (pg. 79) proclaims Marco who is destined to return back to poverty. Through this quote the audience can see that the law did not compromise for both parties but left Eddie writhing in success and Marco to starve with his family in Italy. Where is the law for that, questions Marco who is utterly disgusted at the measures taken by Eddie. Marco thought that justice will only be done with the death of Eddie. In my country he would be dead by now, (pg. 79) asserts Marco whose only intentions were to kill Eddie once bailed out of jail. This quote shows that Marco sees Eddies death as justice and the only remedy for what he has done. The killing though, means that only Marco gains from it. Marco has defended himself and kept his name as an Italian but Eddie has lost his life in the process. During the emotional apprehension of the two illegal immigrants by the police, Marco cannot withstand himself from accusing Eddie. Marco was not able to control his tongue and humiliated him in front of the whole community by the horrendous act of spitting in his face. Nobody is gonna talk to him again if he lives to a hundred. Everybody knows that you spit in his face. (pg.78) Eddie has completely lost his name in the community and is labeled as a traitor. Hes a rat! He belongs in the sewer, (pg. 81) states Catherine who is ashamed to look upon him. This is justice and again only Marco wins all. Eddie is left friendless and an outcast of the whole community. No solutions can be made and no compromise was considered. Attempts were made by Beatrice and Catherine to reconcile the disagreement between the two but none prevailed. This all concludes with the tragic ending of Eddie who dies with a stab in the heart. In the end, one question needs to be asked who gained?

The Mexican U.s. Connection Essay -- essays research papers

The Mexican U.S. Connection Mexico and the United States have been close together, at the same time being so far apart. Mexico and the U.S. have maintained a healthy neighbor to neighbor relationship over the centuries. There have been disputes of course, but for the most part we are working together. When striving to maintain a healthy relationship between neighboring countries, certain problems arise. When the countries don't have the same standard of living, people might try and migrate illegally to the better country. When one country has more illegal drugs than the other, people might try smuggling the drugs. Also, trade between the countries is always a factor in keeping a healthy connection. The first issue to deal with is illegal immigration. Doris Meissner, Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner, announced the INS would pump 185 more agents and an array of equipment, including two new helicopters, seven more infrared scopes, eight miles of fencing and 172 additional sensors to detect and deter illegal immigration traffic along a 16-mile stretch between Otay Mountain and the Tecate Port of Entry. The area has been inundated by immigrant smugglers who have been forced east because of increased Border Patrol activity along the 14-mile corridor from the Pacific Ocean and Imperial Beach to Otay Mesa. The effort, known as Operation Gatekeeper, was launched in October 1994. Meissner said the latest effort, an extension of Operation Gatekeeper, would add five Border Patrol agents on horseback to patrol the back country and three dog teams to be assigned to checkpoints along rural roads. Meissner also announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation would join the operation to break up illegal smuggling rings at the border. She said the Border Patrol would step up the use of checkpoints in the Temecula area, where smugglers usually end up trying to evade the Border Patrol checkpoint. In March, a van carrying illegal immigrants overturned near there as its driver tried to avoid agents; eight illegal immigrants were killed and 18 others injured. In Los Angeles, an alleged smuggler of illegal immigrants who police say was at the wheel of a pickup truck during a chase in April which ended with the televised police beatings of two undocumented aliens from Mexico, pleaded not guilty to f... ... added that the challenges that the Mexican economy faces have not changed with the passage of the NAFTA and that its effects will not be immediate. The Mexican Action Network on Free Trade (RMALC) asked the government to open spaces for public consultation and participation to deal with the repercussions of the NAFTA. RMALC representatives announced that if the NAFTA is ratified by the Mexican Senate, they will mobilize to obtain a profound re- negotiation of the NAFTA which benefits the majority of the population. According to RMALC members, the re-negotiation should include the recognition of asymmetries between the participating countries' economies and aspects of the social agenda which have been left out of the agreement. Said RMALC Director Bertha Lujan, "We still don't know the popular vote on the NAFTA." Thus, all the factors in keeping good connections between neighboring countries have been discussed. Some out there might argue that there is more to it. This is my argument and I stand firm in the belief that Mexico and the U.S. have a steady connection and have many things that interact between them. That is what makes the Mexican-U.S. connection so beautiful.

Alcoholic abuse Essay

The cause of alcohol abuse occurs when one becomes stressed, depressed, or peer pressured. Alcohol abuse is very common in today’s society. Most abusers are blinded to the fact that they are abusing. Abusers take a big risk with their lives when addicted to alcohol. Stress can lead to being an alcohol abuser; when people become stress, they tend to want an addiction to help them. Most people think alcohol is the key for relieving stress. One will want alcohol when being stress over work, family issues, and life. Work is a very stressful environment; one will feel overwhelmed, when dealing with co-workers. People need to settle their differences aside when working together. One will also become stress, when over worked to many hours. The economy today is very low; people now work more than one job, which can be very stressful. Family issues in today’s society have become a struggle in life. Everyone has family issues some have it worse, which can lead to drinking. One will become stress when arguing with a family member. One may also have a genetic gene in alcoholism. One may have grown up with an alcohol abuser. Life in general is stressful, which can lead to alcohol addiction. Most alcohol abusers start drinking little amount each day, which will lead to becoming an alcoholic. One will be stress with school, while holding a job. That will make some people very stress, and vulnerable in drinking alcohol. Depression is a very strong cause of becoming an alcoholic. People become depressed when dealing with relationships, bullying, and financial problems. Relationships will make one very depress. When one cheats on their spouse will lead people to alcohol. When one gets a divorce or splits up that will cause alcohol abusers. Bullying in today’s society has become very brutal. Most teens are being bullied, which will cause depression. Most teens being depress will cause drugs, and alcohol abuse. Being bullied can also lead to death. Financial problems are another common cause to become depress. People in today’s society have become broke, due to the economy. One may become depress by spending money on alcohol, and then one will have no money for other things. Alcohol abusers will become depress, when they have no money for more alcohol. One may become an alcohol abuser, by being peered pressured. In today’s society young teens will get addicted to alcohol. One will get peered pressure at school, parties, and wrong crowd. One may be peered pressure at school to drink alcohol. Teens today are bringing alcohol to school and skipping class and getting drunk. One may also skip school to go and drink alcohol. One may be peered pressure at parties. Most teens go to parties every weekend, and get drunk, which will make one become an alcohol abuser. Students in college in today’s society are looked as a party school. College students have phrat parties and one may become addicted to alcohol, or even worse dead. One may be hanging with the wrong crowds, which can make one have an addiction. People get influence by peers to make bad decisions. One will feel peered pressure by their friends thinking it is ok to drink. Most young teens don’t understand that drinking is dangerous. Alcohol abuse is really bad when a pregnant woman is addicted to alcohol. One may kill their unborn child, or the child can come out with medical problems. Studies have also showed that most people with ADHD will become alcohol abusers. Alcohol is a very serious addiction; one may feel like alcohol is helping them to recover. Alcohol abusers need help, before it gets too late. One needs to realize that there are better ways of coping stress, depression, peered pressure, etc. Alcohol abusers will need support with their family and friends, to overcome their addiction.

Bond Yields for Johnson & Johnson

Solution to Minicase 5 Bond Yields for Johnson & Johnson Objective: The case enables the student to gain insight into the financing activities of large corporations and to practice calculating bond prices and yields. Computations are carried out for annual and semiannual interest periods, and for fractional periods. Case Discussion: Johnson & Johnson is one of the leading pharmaceutical firms in the world. It is large and financially sophisticated. When it needs to borrow money, it sells bonds where it can get the best deal. Sometimes that means selling bonds to U. S. investors. Other times it means issuing Eurodollar bonds to investors outside the United States. (The text discusses the Eurobond market in more depth in Chapters 20 and 27. ) The student is asked in this case to use the techniques developed in Chapter 5 to calculate the yields of domestic bonds and Eurobonds. The main difference between the two is that domestic bonds pay interest semiannually, whereas Eurobonds pay annually. Due to this difference in the frequency of compounding, the student must be careful to compare the APYs of domestic and Eurobonds when trying to find the lower-cost alternative. Exhibit S-5-1 provides information concerning five Johnson & Johnson debt issues. Answers to Questions: 1. Calculate the APY for each of Johnson & Johnson’s bonds and identify which one has the lowest APY, assuming today is January 15, 2009. Answer: Bond 1, calculate the APY of the 7. 375s23 eurobond. There are 15 coupon ayments left, and the last one was made 2 months plus 6 days ago (66 days ago). Use annual payment analysis; CPN=7. 375% x 1000 = $73. 75. Solve the equation using a spreadsheet with N=15, and f=(66/360)=0. 183333 to find the APY = 7. 3001%: |[pic] | | Bond 2, calculate the APY of the 7. 375s22 domestic bond. There are 27 coupon payments left and the last one was made 17 days ago on 12/29/08. Use semiannual payment analysis; CPN/2=7. 75% x 1000 / 2 = $36. 875. Solve the equation using a spreadsheet with N=(2 x 13. 5)=27 semiannual periods, and f=(17/180) = 0. 094444 to find r = 3. 5198%, so the APY = 7. 1635%: |[pic] | | Bond 3, calculate the APY of the 8. 25s31 eurobond. There are 23 coupon payments left, and the last one was made 8 months and 15 days ago (255 days ago). Use annual payment analysis; CPN=8. 25% x 1000 = $82. 50. Solve the equation with N=23 years, and f = (255)/360) = 0. 708333 to find APY = 7. 8288%: |[pic] | | | | | Bond 4, calculate the APY of the 6. 73s20 domestic bond. There are 24 coupon payments left, and the last one was made 4 months ago (120 days ago). Use semiannual payment analysis; CPN/2=6. 3% x 1000 / 2 = $33. 65. Solve the equation using a spreadsheet with N=2 x 12=24 semiannual periods, and f = 120/180 = 0. 666667 to find r = 3. 6269%, so the APY = 7. 3854%: |[pic] | | Bond 5, calculate the APY of the 6. 85s35 domestic bond. There are 52 coupon payments left, and the last one was made 14 days ago. Use semiannual payment analysis; CPN/2=6. 85% x 1000 / 2 = $34. 25. Solve the equation using a spreadsheet with N=2 x 26=52 semiannual periods, and f = 14/180 = 0. 077778 to find r = 3. 5616%, so the APY = 7. 2500%: [pic] | | The 7. 375s22 have the lowest APY, 7. 1635%. 2. The 8. 25s28 can be called in 2021 at par. Calculate the YTC (yield to call) assuming today is January 15, 2009. Does this change your answer to question 1? Answer: There are 13 coupon payments left, and the last one was made 8 months and 15 days ago (255 days ago). Use annual payment analysis; CPN=8. 25% x 1000 = $82. 50. Solve the equation with N=13 years, and f = (255)/360) = 0. 08333 to find APY = 7. 6871%: |[pic] | | | | | The APY of 7. 6871% is less than the APY of 7. 8288% found for Bond 3 in question 1, but is more than the other bonds. So the answer to question 1 does not change, the 7. 375s22 have the lowest APY, 7. 1635%. Exhibit S-5-1 Terms of Johnson & Johnson Debt Issues ISSUE |MARKET |COUPON |FREQUENCY |MATURITY |PRICE1 | | | | | | |(% OF PAR) | |73/8s 20 |Eurobond |73/8% |Annual |11/09/20 |101. 9785 | |73/8s 19 |Domestic |73/8% |Semiannual |06/29/19 |103. 288 | |81/4s 28 |Eurobond |81/4% |Annual |04/30/28 |110. 1563 | |6. 73s 17 |Domestic |6. 73% |Semiannual |09/15/17 | 98. 1535 | |6. 85s 32 |Domestic |6. 85% |Semiannual |01/01/32 | 97. 0501 | 1 Including accrued inter est.

List of Halogens (Element Groups)

List of Halogens (Element Groups) The halogen elements are located in group VIIA of the periodic table, which is the second-to-last column of the chart. This is a list of elements that belong to the halogen group and the properties that they share in common: Types of Halogens Depending on who you ask, there are either 5 or 6 halogens. Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine definitely are halogens. Element 117, which has the placeholder name of ununseptium, might have some properties in common with the other elements. Even though it is in the same column or group of the periodic table with the other halogens, most scientists believe element 117 will behave more like a metalloid. So little of it has been produced, its a matter of prediction, not empirical data. FluorineChlorineBromineIodineAstatineTennessine (might behave as a halogen, at least in some respects) Halogen Properties These elements share some common properties that distinguish them from other elements on the periodic table. They are highly reactive nonmetals.Atoms of belonging to the halogen group have 7 electrons in their outermost (valence) shell. These atoms need one more electron in order to have a stable octet.Halogens are highly electronegative, with high electron affinities.The melting and boiling points of the halogens increase as you increase atomic number (as you move down the periodic table).The elements change their state of matter at room temperature and pressure as you increase atomic number. Fluorine and chlorine are gases. Bromine is a liquid element. Iodine is a solid. Scientists predict tennessine will be a solid at room temperature.

Forest Succession Stages and Maturity

Forest Succession Stages and Maturity Successional changes in plant communities were recognized and described well before the 20th century. Frederick E. Clements observations were developed into theory while he created the original vocabulary and published the first scientific explanation for the process of succession in his book, Plant Succession: An Analysis of the Development of Vegetation. It is very interesting to note that sixty years earlier, Henry David Thoreau described forest succession for the first time in his book, The Succession of Forest Trees. Plant Succession Trees play a major role in creating terrestrial plant cover when conditions develop to the point where some bare-ground and soil is present. Trees grow alongside grasses, herbs, ferns, and shrubs and compete with these species for future plant community replacement and their own survival as a species. The process of that race toward a stable, mature, climax plant community is called succession which follows a successional pathway and each major step reached along the way is called a new seral stage. Primary succession typically occurs very slowly when site conditions are unfriendly to most plants but where a few unique plant species can catch, hold, and thrive. Trees are not often present under these initial harsh conditions. Plants and animals resilient enough to first colonize such sites are the base community that kick starts the complex development of soil and refines the local climate. Site examples of this would be rocks and cliffs, dunes, glacial till, and volcanic ash. Both primary and secondary sites in initial succession are characterized by full exposure to the sun, violent fluctuations in temperatures, and rapid changes in moisture conditions. Only the hardiest of organisms can adapt at first. Secondary succession tends to happen most often on abandoned fields, dirt, and gravel fills, roadside cuts, and after poor logging practices where disturbance has occurred. It can also start very rapidly where the existing community is completely destroyed by fire, flood, wind, or destructive pests. Clements defines the succession mechanism as a process involving several phases when on completion is called a sere. These phases are: 1.) Development of a bare site called Nudism; 2.) Introduction of living regenerative plant material called Migration; 3.) Establishment of vegetative growth called Ecesis; 4.) Plant competition for space, light, and nutrients called Competition; 5.) Plant community changes that affect the habitat called Reaction; 6.) Final development of a climax community called Stabilization. Forest Succession in More Detail Forest succession is considered a secondary succession in most field biology and forest ecology texts but also has its own particular vocabulary. The forest process follows a timeline of tree species replacement and in this order: from pioneer seedlings and saplings to transition forest to young growth forest to mature forest to old growth forest. Foresters generally manage stands of trees that are developing as part of a secondary succession. The most important tree species in terms of economic value are a part of one of several serial stages below the climax. It is, therefore, important that a forester manage his forest by controlling the tendency of that community to move toward a climax species forest. As presented in the forestry text, Principles of Silviculture, Second Edition, foresters use silvicultural practices to maintain the stands in the seral stage that meets societys objectives most closely.

Event at Herrington country park ( Sunderland , uk ) Essay

Event at Herrington country park ( Sunderland , uk ) - Essay Example In addition, the park provides a good space for children entertainment as well as an ample space for open air concerts for most parts of the North East of Sunderland (Hoyle, 2002). Based on the possibility of the Herrington Country Park to host a myriad of events, this paper is going to propose and explore the possibilities of the park to host other new events. On this basis, the paper is going to present wedding events as a new type of events that should be hosted by Herrington Country Park. Weddings are the most cherished events by many people around the world. Wedding events always need to be conducted in pristine as well as serene environments (Jones, 2008). They always need to be conducted in places that have aesthetic values as well as beautiful environmental backgrounds. Wedding events always need places with cool atmospheres, spaciousness and lots of natural freshness. In this regard, it is always critical to conduct wedding events in such places where recreation activities are available. Herrington Country Park offers the best environment that meets all the above descriptions for a wedding event. However, it is critical to note that there are several issues that may present big challenges towards staging the wedding events in such an environment (Hoyle, 2002). One of the difficulties in staging such events is inadequacy of finances. This may limit a number of operations in the planning and management of the event. In addition, site zoning problems may also affec t the successful staging of the wedding events in the park. This may be a problem if an experienced and well trained personnel in event management was neither consulted nor hired. This may present staging challenges. However, it is critical to note that Herrington Country Park is an ideal place to hold wedding events. For the success of the park to hold wedding evens, there are several ways that people can be informed. The wedding events in the Herrington